Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
Independent Americans is a weekly news show hosted by Paul Rieckhoff. He’s a fighter, a patriot, and an independent political and media force to be reckoned with. After serving as a soldier in Iraq in 2004, Rieckhoff emerged as one of the most dynamic political and social leaders in America. In every episode, he breaks down the most important issues facing our country. And he interviews the most influential and compelling people. He’s taking on Republicans, Democrats—and everyone in between. If you’re in the angry middle, Independent Americans reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Join the Independent Americans movement and subscribe now. Produced by Righteous Media.
Episodes
Our August break is continuing with a replay of one of our favorite chats we’ve ever recorded. This one is really fun.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be re-sharing conversations with some of our favorite guests as they share their stories of independence, integrity, information, inspiration and definitely impact.
We’re kicking the series off with a conversation with comedy legend Sam Bee. And if you're a Lindsey Graham fan, this ...
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Producers note: Folks, if you’ve been following this show for a while now, you know we go hard. All of the time. From last week’s event in Washington DC to upcoming events later this year, to the non-stop news appearances (not to mention I make Paul walk around New York filming himself talking into a camera), to the multiple organizations he’s helping run (Independent Veterans of America, American Veterans for Ukraine, Operation Li...
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What’s it like behind the scenes of the independent movement? What does the future look like and who will be the candidates that emerge as leaders of the movement? They’re important questions we’ve explored now for years and this week we’ve got a rare opportunity to share with you, the true independent Americans.This week, our host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) was joined by past guest and independent veteran candidate for Senate...
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The summer of 2025 has been a time of chaos. A time of confusion. And a time of distress for many Americans. But for independent Americans it’s been a little bit different. In between all of the moments of turmoil have been glimmers of hope, a chance at a better future. And that better future is being driven by independents. From Jim Walden’s upstart mayoral campaign in New York City to the Badlands of South Dakota and Brian Bengs’...
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Things are hot in America this summer. And they’re only getting hotter. The VA is cutting 30,000 jobs, Trump is threatening to bomb Moscow and Beijing, Hegseth is doing Hegseth things at the Pentagon, and New York City is hovering around one hundred degrees while a socialist is leading in the polls for Mayor. Shit is toasty and it’s only gonna get hotter. And your host Paul Rieckhoff is here to tear into all of it with a cool head ...
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It’s the Fourth of July, and she might be a little dinged up, but after 249 years, America is still standing. And she will keep standing as long as there are independent Americans out there to stay vigilant and ensure that the torch that Lady Liberty holds high above her head as a beacon for all stays lit.
And this show will always stay vigilant. Especially on Independence Day. Or INDEPENDENTS Day! It’s a time for us all to reflec...
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Trump has bombed Iran. And now, the spin and politics is accelerating faster than a B-2 bomber.
And a political bomb dropped on NYC this week as 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani conquered Andrew Cuomo and a cluttered Democratic primary. Now, he’ll take on a wacky Republican radio host, the compromised disaster that is Eric Adams, maybe Cuomo (ugh), and true independent and recent guest on this program, Jim Walden. But there’s...
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Summer is officially here and things are getting hot. Too hot. From the assassination of state legislators in Minnesota last week to a potential hot war with Iran to more and more troops deployed into American streets, this is one of the tensest times anyone can remember.
And in tense times it’s good to get a little perspective. And we’ve got the perfect guest to dish it out. Sebastian Junger returns and he’s not holding anything ...
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We’re only six months into Trump 2.0 and things are getting bad fast. He was looking for a fight. And he found it. Unrest in Los Angeles has been met with a mobilization of troops that few predicted. But your host, Paul Rieckhoff, did.
For five years we’ve been sounding the alarm. Thinking the unthinkable—that has often come true. From COVID, to Trump refusing to leave office, to the January 6th insurrection, to armed violence an...
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America needs leaders. And leaders are in short supply. That seems to be the case in Washington at least. Whether it’s Pete Hegseth’s ongoing hateful attacks on the LGBTQ service members under his command or his self aggrandizing ad or the ongoing chaos at the Pentagon, none of it is efficient and none of it is making any of us any safer.
America needs leaders.
They’re out there. And more and more frequently they aren’t claiming ...
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Summer is almost officially here and things are already heating up. From the increasing pressure from Republicans to back Ukraine (a massive win for everyone) to Trump’s new half-baked “Golden Dome” defense system to another horrific antisemitic attack on two Israeli embassy staffers in DC, your fearless and always independent host Paul Rieckhoff has you covered.
And as the onslaught of crazy news continues to drop, it’s easy to l...
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335. Bonnie Carroll. A Special Memorial Day Conversation with ‘Saint Bonnie’. It’s Memorial Day Every Day in Ukraine. Ben (Not Jerry) Manhandled in DC. Noem’s Immigration Hunger Games. Hegseth’s Afghanistan Witch Hunt. VA Sec Collins Continues to Spin.
It’s Fleet Week in New York City. The Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in decades, the Yankees are in first in their division. It’s a good time to be ...
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There’s a spirit that’s sweeping across America. A growing desire for change. The system is broken. You know, we know it. And it’s kind of starting to feel like everybody knows it. So when the DOGE axe was going to come down on his group of rangers, he started planning. And even though he was later protected from being fired because he was a veteran, the fear and uncertainty didn’t sit with him.
Retired Air Force Colonel Brian Ben...
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This show is dedicated to helping elevate the heroes and the helpers. And to identifying the people in our government and political arena that don’t live up to either of those descriptions. From the consistent cruelty of the Trump administration's attacks on our values and, now, our allies, to our national security being continually degraded by the gutting of the Pentagon ranks, the volume of outrageousness is increasing and the hi...
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We’ve got another great episode with a returning guest. And another big screw up by a returning screw up. That’s right, the Hegseth hits keep coming and at this point it’s a little hard to tell which one is the worst. From Signalgate to the briefing of Elon on our China war plans (remember that one?!) to a latest Signal chat group which includes his wife in briefings of the most top secret nature possible. It’s another day, another...
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We’ve got a great bonus pod for you to check out as Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff joined Charlie Sykes for a spirited, no-holds-barred deep dive into everything happening with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, SignalGate and the danger we all face now with this inept leadership at the helm. They explore how a Fox News persona ended up with the nukes, what it means for U.S. national security, and why even Trumpworld is ...
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The chaos at the Pentagon is getting worse as more and more news stories about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth continue to pour out. And now, the staffers he fired (that he also hired) for allegedly leaking are coming after him. They’re eating their own–and the mayhem is expanding quickly and overwhelming Hegseth and The Building. What happens next? Will Trump fire him? Who could replace him? Who’s watching our nukes?!?!
It’s an...
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Another week, another walk. And this time it’s somewhere different. We sent your host Paul Rieckhoff west to get some rest and so far it isn’t in the cards. From Trump crashing the economy to breaking news that Pete Hegseth’s cronies were allegedly removed from the Pentagon for leaking word of Elon’s China briefing, there’s a lot to keep up with. Even when you’re “on vacation”. Paul checks in from the home of the Navy SEALS: Corona...
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It’s time for another walk. Through the chaos of the last couple of weeks and the signs of spring fighting to break through winter's icy grip. The markets on fire, the world is outraged and our enemies are celebrating.
And with so many questions looming about the economy, Trump’s decisions and what’s next for Ukraine, there might not be a better guest to get a gauge of where things stand. He’s maybe the most reasonable Republican ...
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April is here. Spring is here. And some days you just need to go for a walk. To blow off steam. To get away from the office. You name it. There’s never a bad reason to go for a quick walk. But spring isn’t the only thing that’s here. President Mayhem is back. And he is not slowing down. From talking about invading Greenland and Panama and Canada to raising tariffs on all of our trade partners, to alienating our allies in NATO, Mayh...
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